3 Inspiring Examples of Business Leaders Who Put Ethics First
As the corporate world continues to grow and evolve, business ethics have increasingly come under scrutiny. With ethical decision-making being headline news, it’s no surprise that some of the most successful CEOs and business leaders are those who put ethics first. In this blog, we will examine three such leaders and how they have put ethics at the forefront of their business practices.
Example 1: Howard Schultz, Starbucks
As the CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz has been an ethical pioneer in the business world. Under his leadership, the coffee giant has built a reputation for social responsibility, sustainability, and fair trade practices. Schultz has championed various causes, such as hiring military veterans, providing college tuition assistance to employees, and promoting access to healthcare. In addition to this, he has established an ethical sourcing program that ensures all Starbucks coffee beans are purchased from farmers who adhere to ethical farming practices.
Example 2: Rose Marcario, Patagonia
Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario is another business leader who has prioritized ethics. Under her tenure, Patagonia has become synonymous with sustainable business practices, evidenced through initiatives such as using recycled materials in their products and reducing the company’s carbon footprint. However, perhaps Marcario’s biggest ethical accomplishment was when Patagonia donated all of its Black Friday profits to environmental organizations in 2016. By doing so, Marcario proved that business and ethics can go hand in hand.
Example 3: Paul Polman, Unilever
Paul Polman, the former CEO of Unilever, is another business leader who prioritized ethics. Under his leadership, the company not only prioritized profit margins but also sustainability. Polman’s Unilever Sustainable Living Plan aimed to halve the organization’s environmental footprint while increasing its positive social impact. Additionally, the company invested in industries such as clean energy and renewable resources, setting a positive example for the world’s major corporations.
In conclusion, these three business leaders have demonstrated that prioritizing ethics can lead to significant financial success and positive social impact. Their initiatives and practices show that business and ethics are not mutually exclusive, and they can work hand in hand to create a positive impact. As ethical considerations in business continue to gain importance, leaders like Schultz, Marcario, and Polman will remain vital examples for the next generation of ethical business leaders.
